Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

New Jersey Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

NOTICE OF UNPAID BALANCE AND RIGHT TO FILE LIEN--INDIVIDUAL--RESIDENTIAL

Prepared by, recording requested by and return to:

Name:

Company:

Address:

City: State: Zip:

Phone:

Fax:

TO THE CLERK, COUNTY OF :

In accordance with the terms and provisions of the "Construction Lien Law," P.L.1993, c.318 (C.2A:44A-1 et al.), notice is hereby given that:

1. (Name of Claimant) of

(address of claimant) has on the day of , 20, a potential construction lien against the below described property of

(owner against whose property the lien will be claimed), in the amount of $, for the value of the work, services, material or equipment provided in accordance with a contract with

(name of contracting party with whom claimant has a contract) for the following work, services, materials or equipment:

a.

b.

c.

2. The amount due for work, services, materials or equipment provided by claimant in connection with the improvement of the real property, and upon which this lien claim is based is as follows:

Total contract amount:
$
Amendments to contract:
$
Total contract amount and amendments to contract:
$
Less:
Agreed upon Credits
$
Contact amount paid to date:
$
Amendments to the Contract paid to date:
$
Total Reductions from Contract amount and amendments to contract
$
TOTAL LIEN AMOUNT
$

3. This construction lien is to be claimed against the interest of as: or

(describe) in that certain tract or parcel of land and premises described as Block , Lot , on the tax map of the of , County of , State of New Jersey, for the improvement of which property the aforementioned work, services, materials or equipment was provided.

4. The work, services, materials or equipment was provided pursuant to the terms of a written contract (or, in the case of a supplier, a delivery or order slip signed by the owner, contractor, or subcontractor having a direct contractual relation with a contractor, or an authorized agent of any of them), dated the day of , 20, between (claimant) and (name of other contracting party) of (address).

5. The date of the provision of the last work, services, material or equipment for which payment is claimed is the day of , 20.

6. The written contract / a residential construction contract as defined in section 2 of this act.

7. This notification has been filed prior or subsequent to completion of the work, services, materials or equipment as described above. The purpose of this notification is to advise the owner and any other person who is attempting to encumber or take transfer of said property described above that a potential construction lien may be filed within the 90 day period following the date of the provision of the last work, services, materials or equipment as set forth in paragraph 5.

This the day of , 20.

Witnessed or Attested by:

Lien Claimant

(Seal)

CLAIMANT'S REPRESENTATION AND VERIFICATION

Claimant represents and verifies that:

1. The amount claimed herein is due and owing at the date of filing, pursuant to claimant's contract described in the Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien.

2. The work, services, material or equipment for which this Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien is filed was provided exclusively in connection with the improvement of the real property which is the subject of this Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien.

3. The Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien has been filed within 90 days from the last date upon which the work, services, materials or equipment for which payment is claimed was provided.

4. The foregoing statements made by me are true, to the best of my knowledge.

DATED this the day of , 20.

Name of Claimant

Signed

State of New Jersey

County of , ss:

I CERTIFY that on , personally came before me and acknowledged under oath to my satisfaction, that this person (or if more than one, each person):

a) is named in and personally signed the attached document; and

b) signed and delivered this document as his/her/their act and deed; and

c) executed this document under oath after being duly sworn.

Claimant

Notary Public

Print Name:

My commission expires:

NJ § 2A: 44A-20

Enter text✕

What the New Jersey Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien Is

The New Jersey Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien is a written notice used by a contractor, subcontractor, supplier, or other party to inform an owner or property manager that an account remains unpaid and that the sender reserves the right to file a mechanics’ or construction lien under New Jersey law. The notice documents outstanding balances, identifies the contract or project, and creates a clear record of demand before lien filing. Use of a formal notice helps preserve lien rights and supports later enforcement or collection actions if unpaid.

Why this Notice Matters for Protecting Lien Rights

A properly prepared notice preserves statutory prerequisites, creates an audit trail, and gives the debtor formal notice before lien filing.

Why this Notice Matters for Protecting Lien Rights

Who Typically Prepares and Receives This Notice

Use this notice when you supply labor, materials, or services on a New Jersey construction project and payment is overdue.

  • General contractors and subcontractors who need to document unpaid balances and preserve lien rights.
  • Suppliers and material vendors sending final demand before pursuing a mechanics’ lien.
  • Property owners and managers who receive formal notice and need clear invoice and dispute records.

Keep a signed copy and delivery proof to support any later lien filing or collection step.

Step-by-Step: Completing the Notice

Follow these steps to prepare a clear, enforceable New Jersey Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien.

  • 01
    Prepare Document: Enter claimant, recipient, project, and amount due accurately.
  • 02
    Attach Evidence: Include invoices, contracts, delivery tickets, and change orders.
  • 03
    Sign and Date: Authorized representative signs and dates the notice.
  • 04
    Deliver Proof: Send by certified mail or another verifiable delivery method.

How to Configure a Digital Workflow for This Notice

Set up a repeatable workflow to prepare, sign, and deliver notices while preserving an audit trail.

Field Configuration
Template Create a reusable template with required fields and conditional text.
Signer Order Define signer roles and sequential or parallel signing as needed.
Delivery Method Select certified mail, email with delivery receipt, or RON as applicable.
Audit Options Enable time stamp, IP logging, and signed PDF certificate.

Typical Notice Flow from Draft to Delivery

A standard process helps ensure notice is timely and legally defensible.

  • Draft Notice: Populate template fields with contract and invoice details.
  • Attach Support: Upload invoices, delivery tickets, and correspondence.
  • Authorize Signature: Authorized official signs electronically or physically.
  • Deliver and Record: Send with tracking and save proof of delivery.

Delivery and Technical Considerations for Electronic Notices

Choose delivery and authentication methods that meet legal and contractual requirements.

  • File Formats: PDF or PDF/A preferred for long-term retention.
  • Authentication: Use email link, SMS code, or stronger verification for critical notices.
  • Audit Trail: Capture timestamp, IP, and signer actions.

Retain a signed copy and delivery proof in your records to establish notice and timing if a lien is later filed.

Timing and Deadlines to Watch

Timely delivery and subsequent lien filings depend on project type and contract terms; track statutory deadlines closely.

Notice Before Lien:

Send as soon as payment is overdue and before filing a mechanics’ lien.

County Recording Deadlines:

Lien filing deadlines vary; calculate from last furnishing date.

Contract Cure Periods:

Observe any contract-specific notice or cure periods first.

Preserve Evidence:

Keep delivery receipts and copies for later enforcement.

Statute of Limitations:

Lien and contract claim deadlines are governed by state law and may affect filing.

Key Milestones from Unpaid Invoice to Lien Filing

Track these milestones as part of a compliance-ready lien preservation routine.

01

Invoice Due Date

Date when payment was contractually due; triggers follow-up actions.

02

Demand Notice Sent

Formal notice delivery with proof; documents unpaid balance.

03

Opportunity to Cure

Allow contractually required cure period before filing lien.

04

File Lien

Prepare and record lien with county recorder if unpaid.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing This Notice

  • Using an incorrect claimant or recipient name, which can render the notice misleading or less persuasive in enforcement.
  • Failing to attach or cite supporting invoices and delivery tickets, making the amount due hard to verify and contestable.
  • Delivering notice without verifiable proof (for example, relying on standard email without delivery confirmation or tracking).
  • Missing contract-specific notice or cure provisions that may require a different delivery method or timeline before lien action.

Required Data Elements for the Notice

Claimant: Full legal entity name
Recipient: Owner or contracting party
Project: Site address or parcel
Amount: Exact unpaid balance
Supporting Docs: Invoice and contract refs
Signature: Authorized signatory and date

Risks and Consequences of Incorrect or Late Notices

Lost Lien Rights: Failure to follow notice rules can forfeit lien rights
Invalid Filing: Incorrect data may lead to rejected or invalid liens
Penalty Exposure: Consumer or contract damages if notice violates law
Collection Delays: Errors add time and legal cost to recoveries
Increased Legal Fees: Attorney review often required after mistakes
Reputation Risk: Disputes can harm customer and trade relationships

Real-World Examples of Notice Use

These examples illustrate how vendors and contractors apply the notice to protect payment rights.

Martin Properties Example

A property manager identified an unpaid invoice for HVAC work and sent a formal notice to the contractor to preserve lien rights.

  • The notice included invoice references and a signed delivery receipt.
  • With delivery proof and attached invoices, the claimant filed a recorded claim of lien and negotiated a partial payment rather than pursuing contested litigation, shortening resolution time and lowering legal expense.

Optica Ventures Example

A subcontractor supplying electrical fixtures documented three months of nonpayment and issued a notice before lien recording.

  • The notice cited purchase orders and delivery logs.
  • The clear record prompted the general contractor to reconcile accounts and release payment, avoiding a formal lien and preserving project relationships while ensuring the subcontractor was made whole.

eSignature Vendor Pricing and Feature Comparison for Notice Workflows

Compare representative starting prices and common features for eSignature solutions used to prepare and deliver notices. Verify vendor plans and features with the provider before purchase.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial Yes, 7-day free trial Verify with vendor Verify with vendor Verify with vendor Verify with vendor
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Frequently Asked Questions About the New Jersey Notice of Unpaid Balance and Right to File Lien

Answers to common questions about preparing, delivering, and preserving lien-related notices under New Jersey practice.


Need help? Contact support

be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users